Tributes galore as renowned Islamic scholar, Muhydeen Ajani Bello passes on
07 December 2024 |
5:49 am
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mourned the passing of Sheikh Muhydeen Ajani Bello sharing in the pain of loss with the Muslim Ummah over the passing of the Islamic scholar.
Tinubu, Makinde, Oyetola, Others Mourn Late Cleric
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mourned the passing of Sheikh Muhydeen Ajani Bello sharing in the pain of loss with the Muslim Ummah over the passing of the Islamic scholar.
Tinubu affirmed that the cerebral scholar lived to serve Almighty Allah and humanity with his unusual insight into the Holy Quran, depth of wisdom, and the gift of interpretation, which provided peace, comfort, and guidance for many.
The president said Sheikh Bello’s discovery of divine purpose at an early age and commitment to long hours of prayers, studying, and meditation shaped his message and the destiny of many Muslims within and outside the country.
He acknowledged the Islamic cleric’s unwavering position on charity, peace, and civil order, frequently counselling leaders on the importance of trust, honesty, and fairness as cornerstones for good governance.
Also, Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Friday, described the death of Bello as shocking and unexpected.
Makinde, in a statement in Ibadan, condoled with the immediate family of the Sheikh, the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta states, Alhaji Dawud Makanjuola Akinola; the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdulganiyu Abubakry Agbotomokekere; the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria, especially Oyo State, where the Ibadan-born Islamic preacher and leader was a major figure until his death.
The governor extolled the virtue of the renowned cleric, describing him as a courageous, forthright and patriotic religious leader, who set good examples for others.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has also mourned the passing of the renowned Nigerian Muslim scholar and preacher, Sheikh Alhaji Muyideen Ajani Bello.
Sanwo-Olu described the death of Sheikh Bello as a great loss to the country, particularly the Muslim community.
In a statement issued on Friday by Mr. Gboyega Akosile, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Sanwo-Olu said the late Sheikh Bello left an indelible mark on the Muslim community and his followers across the world and would be sorely missed.
Sanwo-Olu also condoled with the deceased’s family, Muslim faithful, friends and Muslim community across the country over the demise of the renowned Islamic cleric.
He said: “Sheikh Alhaji Muyideen Ajani Bello lived a fulfilled life. He dedicated his life to the service of the people and the propagation of Islam. His death is a great loss, but we are consoled by the good life that he lived and the legacy that he left behind.
“On behalf of my family, the people and the Government of Lagos State, I commiserate with the immediate family, friends, associates and the entire Muslim community over the passing of elder statesman and Islamic scholar, Sheikh Alhaji Muyideen Ajani Bello, who passed away at the age of 84 years.”
Similarly, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, commiserated with Ansar-Ud-Deen Society in particular, and the Muslim ummah in general, over the death of Sheikh Muhydeen Ajani Bello.
Describing the death as shocking and devastating, the former Osun State governor also commiserated with the people of Ibadan, the governor of Oyo State, the immediate family, friends of the deceased and the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN).
Oyetola, in a statement by his media office, expressed shock at the passage of the cleric, saying the late Bello lived a pious and exemplary life that was devoted to the service of Allah and humanity.
“Sheikh Bello was a friend and supporter of our administration while we were in Osun and did not withdraw his love when we got to the Federal as he continued to extend to us wise counsel. He will be greatly missed. On behalf of the APC family in Osun State, I join family members, friends, the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society, and the people of Ibadan to mourn the death of Sheikh Muhydeen Ajani Bello.”
The immediate past Chairman of Senate Committee on Local Content, Teslim Folarin, in a condolence message, said: “Baba was a great father and advisor. I can’t find the appropriate words to express my sadness, but I take solace in the fact that Baba came, saw and conquered.”
He said Nigeria and Africa Muslim Ummah has lost a legend. “Sheik Bello was an international Islamic preacher, scholar and peace ambassador. He lived a selfless and fulfilled life where he gave his all for the propagation of Islam. His usual pieces of advice and wise counsel to political, religious and traditional leaders will be greatly missed.
“I convey my deepest condolences to the bereaved families, Muslim Ummah and Nigerian Government. May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and reward his good deeds with Aljannat Firdaus.”
Equally, National President, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria and Overseas, Alhaji AbdulRafiu Ademola Sanni, in a statement, said Sheikh Muyideen Ajani Bello was a towering figure in the Islamic community renowned for his eloquence, scholarship and tireless devotion to propagating the teachings of Islam.
“As Missioner of the Northern State Council, he played an instrumental role in promoting unity, faith, and moral values across diverse communities. His exemplary leadership, profound knowledge, and unwavering commitment to the cause of Allah have left an indelible mark on the lives of countless individuals.
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, National Executive Council and the entire Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Alhaji AbdulRafiu Ademola Sanni, the National President, extends heartfelt condolences to his family, the Northern State Council, and the entire Muslim Ummah.
“As we bid farewell to our beloved Sheikh Muyideen Ajani Bello, let us honour his legacy by emulating his dedication to faith, service, and humanity. We urge all members of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society Nigeria and Overseas and the wider Muslim Ummah to keep him in their prayers,” Sanni said.
For the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), the whole Muslim community of Nigeria will miss Sheikh Bello.
The Executive Director of MURIC, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, described the Islamic scholar as one in a million, a rare gem, a genius of all time and the most fearless of all preachers.
“Sheikh was so generous he could give his right eye to the needy. Even as an Islamic scholar, he gave scholarships to a large number of indigent students,” he stated.
Akintola continued: “There is no Islamic scholar so loved by South West Muslims like Shaykh Muhyideen Bello. Every Islamic organisation in the region yearned to listen to his insightful lectures while young and old Muslims listened to his recorded speeches for guidance and inspiration. Mammoth crowds attended his gatherings in their thousands.”
Akintola prayed to Allah to grant him Aljana Firdaus, while also praying to God to uphold the immediate family, friends and well-wishers of the cleric.
Bello died in the early hours of Friday at the age of 84. He hailed from the Arolu compound near Oranyan in Ibadan North East Local Council in Oyo State.
The Islamic cleric lived most of his life in Kano before he finally came back to his hometown, Ibadan, recently.
His death was announced by Alfa Aribidesi of At-Tawdeeh Islamic Da’awah and confirmed by Ibadan-based cleric Sheikh Almudeer Ajiginni.
Sheikh Bello was born in 1940 into the family of Alhaji Bello Ajani and Alhaja Ubaidat Bello of Arolu Compound, Ita Olukoyi, Ibadan.
He attended I.D.C. Primary School and secondary school in Elekuro, Ibadan. He later studied Arabic and Islamic knowledge at Mahdul Arabiy, Elekuro, between 1963 and 1967.
From the age of 10, Sheikh Muyideen developed a passion for Islamic propagation, preaching across Ibadan and beyond. He taught at various secondary schools in Oyo, Ogun, and Kano states and served as the Missioner for the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria.
Known for his fearless Quranic teachings, Sheikh Muyideen was invited to preach internationally, including in the UK, US, and neighbouring African countries.
The great scholar was laid to rest in his residence at Akobo Ojuirin in Ibadan at 5.30 pm. The Janazah prayer was conducted by the Chief Imam of Ibadan and was witnessed by the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, AbdulRaheem Lawal, Muslim clerics, faithful and representatives of Muslim organisations.
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